[steelstr45]

I've had a defrost issue for a couple of years now. The problem is that even though the heater is hot, and the front defrost is hot and blowing on the windshield, it will not defrost.

I do have an AC leak, which I originally thought was the issue, but they sell those portable heater things that plug into the cigarette lighter power outlet, which have nothing to do with AC which supposedly work. So I would assume that just heat should do it, but for some reason it doesn't.

I have also heard there might be a heater core leak, but I have no coolant leaking or heater issues (aside from defrost not defrosting.)

So I was hoping someone could shed some light on this. And also, does anyone know if those cheap $20 Heater Fan and Defroster things you can get at the auto store actually work at all? Anything's better than nothing, and I really can not afford to have my heater core or AC fixed right now.

Thanks

[steelstr45]

oh and a few years ago I had the dealer take the whole dash out just to fix the air conditioning leak and now it's leaking again.

[drwolcot]

I have a problem with my defrost as well, but unlike yours when my heat is hot, and I switch to defrost, it is cold. I have already done the heatertreater fix for the blend door issue, is there something else too?

[00JGC00]

What about when the engine is at it's normal operating temperature? With the heat on full blast and on defrost it still doesn't do anything?

[steelstr45]

Originally Posted by 00JGC00

What about when the engine is at it's normal operating temperature? With the heat on full blast and on defrost it still doesn't do anything?

No, nothing happens. The car gets nice and warm, and it blows on the windshield, but it just stays fogged up. It's kind of dangerous.

It really happens mainly when it's raining or snowing or wet out. Last year I resorted to having a bunch of those silicone drying packets in the car to try to absorb as much moisture as possible to reduce fogging.

Aside from spending hundreds or thousands of dollars to fix, I'm at a loss.

[00JGC00]

Ok, here's another question. How long have you lived where you do and have you had this problem with any other vehicles while in the same locale?

Edit:

And another question. Is it frost or fog/condensation that you're having problems with?

[steelstr45]

Originally Posted by 00JGC00

Ok, here's another question. How long have you lived where you do and have you had this problem with any other vehicles while in the same locale?

Edit:

And another question. Is it frost or fog/condensation that you're having problems with?

I have lived here my entire life, and I have never had this problem with any other vehicle. Even my Sable, which has a busted air conditioner still defrosts.

I think it's both fog and condensation. It happens when it's moist out, or in the winter with the windows shut from breathing in the car. It may be more condensation now that I think about it, but the condensation is causing fogging.

[00JGC00]

Well if you've lived there your whole life and this is the only car that has done this to you and you know the defroster is blowing out warm air (like it should be) that is really odd.

When the car is completely warmed up and you are having this problem, have you ever tried lowering the temperature of the air being blown out of your heater? I don't know why (so anyone feel free to correct me), but I believe condensation can be greatly affected by the combination of not only temperature but the environmental humidity. For example, if you take a lot of people and stick them in a car when it's cold outside, the heater almost makes things worse. When you put on cooler air, the condensation goes away. The humidity inside the car is much greater the more people are in the car compared to just the driver. It's like if you have high humidity in the car, then the heat almost steams the windows, making things worse. Cool the air, and the windows clear up.
I haven't been able to figure out the exact patterns as to why that is, but it really sounds like your car is doing what it's supposed to. I would try playing with the temperature of the air being blown out and see what happens.

[steelstr45]

Originally Posted by 00JGC00

Well if you've lived there your whole life and this is the only car that has done this to you and you know the defroster is blowing out warm air (like it should be) that is really odd.

When the car is completely warmed up and you are having this problem, have you ever tried lowering the temperature of the air being blown out of your heater? I don't know why (so anyone feel free to correct me), but I believe condensation can be greatly affected by the combination of not only temperature but the environmental humidity. For example, if you take a lot of people and stick them in a car when it's cold outside, the heater almost makes things worse. When you put on cooler air, the condensation goes away. The humidity inside the car is much greater the more people are in the car compared to just the driver. It's like if you have high humidity in the car, then the heat almost steams the windows, making things worse. Cool the air, and the windows clear up.
I haven't been able to figure out the exact patterns as to why that is, but it really sounds like your car is doing what it's supposed to. I would try playing with the temperature of the air being blown out and see what happens.

Thanks I'll try that next time it happens. Without the AC working to dry out the air, you might be right.

[PreacherTJ]

Had similar issue. A proper working defroster uses the A/C to dehumidify the air. If the A/C isn't working properly, you will have to get it really hot inside to defrost. Cracking a window and letting cool air in will help under these conditions. I also had water in my floorboard from wet hunting boots which compounded the problem. Dried out the water and repaired the a/c and everything worked as normal. Good Luck.